11 February 2010

I'm reading American Rust by Philipp Meyer, a novel of two young men who want something more than their dying eastern Pennsylvania town can give them but who don't quite have the means or wherewithal to move along. How can they leave when Isaac is responsible for his aging father; Poe, for his depressed mother? Stay or go, neither can envision his future.

Here's a snippet from p. 6:

From a distance, from the size of them, they might have been father and son. Poe with his big jaw and his small eyes and even now, two years out of school, a nylon football jacket, his name and player number on the front and BUELL EAGLES on the back. Isaac short and skinny, his eyes too large for his face, his clothes too large for him as well, his old backpack stuffed with his sleeping bag, a change of clothes, his notebooks. They went down the narrow dirt road toward the river, mostly it was woods and meadows, green and beautiful in the first weeks of spring.

Look for a guest post from Philipp Meyer on Beth Fish Reads tomorrow.

The Tea. I'm drinking Adagio's Cranberry Tea. This is a very subtle fruity black tea that tastes pretty good on a snowy winter afternoon. The cranberry flavor is not overwhelming, but the aroma is enticing. Here's the description: "Premium black tea from Sri Lanka flavored with sweet, tangy cranberries. This delicious autumn delight is a great complement to your next turkey feast, which your guests are sure to gobble down."

The Assessment. Isaac and Poe may drink tea, but neither of them has the money or desire to buy fancy teas off the Internet. If they drink tea at all they are way more likely to buy a grocery store brand of nondescript black tea. If Isaac ever makes it to California, enrolls in college, and changes his life, he may find himself sipping cranberry tea at some student-faculty function.

If the snow doesn't go away soon, I think I'm going to be pouring something a whole lot stronger in my mug! What about you? Oh, and don't forget to tell me what you're reading or listening to this week.

Thursday Tea is hosted by Anastasia at Birdbrain(ed) Book Blog. Here's how it works: Tell us what tea you are drinking (and if you like it). And then tell us what book are you reading (and if you like it). Finally, tell us if they go together.

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comments:

As far as snow, it missed us again. They canceled school here yesterday prematurely, as we only ended up with an inch of snow. Here we are 50" below the for this point in winter. I feel bad for all of you who have been hit so hard.

we have so much snow I gave up counting...2 feet+ another foot...3 feet..something l1ke that. I will just be happy to finally be off from work tomorrow since last friday and finally be able to dig my own house out properly. Hot beverages will be involved, no doubt my fav Earl Gray.

I read American Rust some time ago and was sort of on the fense about it. Didn't love it, didn't hate it.

Both the book and the tea sound good! My tea is Raspberry Earl from Zhena's Gypsy Tea, and I plan on finishing Marcelo in the Real World this afternoon. I'm listening to Sarah's Key in the car this week.

Oooh, Cranberry tea! That sounds wonderful! I'm laughing at your need for stronger brew. I think half the nation feels your pain. I'm reading a light romance thing right now and I can't get through it. The author is an old friend of my mom's so I kinda have to read it, but ugh! I just don't like romances. I'm also listening to Shutter Island on audio and I LOVE IT. Gotta finish so I can go see the movie...

I am so excited! A fellow teacher, and one whom I gave some Stash Tea as a Christmas gift, has found a local tea shop! We are going to plan a date to go have a tasting and peruse the wonderful selection.

I am finding it hard to find a good fiction book to read amid all my school requirements. I think I am going to try Jasper Fforde's The Big Over Easy

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I'm a freelance book editor, reviewer, and journalist blogging as Beth Fish. On these pages, you'll find book reviews, book features, and other bookish content. I like to spotlight my favorite imprints and I'm a long-time audiobook lover. (I was the Audio Publishers Association's 2016 Audiobook Blogger of the Year!) Each Saturday I host my popular Weekend Cooking feature. Don't forget to look for my weekly photograph. You can find me on social media as @BethFishReads. Publicists, publishers, authors: please see my review policy. NB: I did not work on any book mentioned on this site.

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